Latest posts

Build

Posted on 17 May 2011 by Henry Gee

And in other news, the Maison des Girrafes is in the process of becoming a Palazzo. The new East Wing is built, though what with one thing and another I haven’t gotten as far with the new kitchen as I’d hoped. This is the kitchen so far:

Notwithstanding inasmuch as which, wave after wave of demented avengers wonderful Norfolk tradesmen Continue reading →

Posted in Cromer, Domesticrox, loadsamoney, recyclismus | Comments Off on Build

The challenge of going beyond

Posted on 17 May 2011 by Frank Norman

Change is a natural part of life so resisting it has always seemed futile to me. My hair falls out and turns grey and I prefer to just accept that it has happened rather than to wear a wig or dye my hair. But sometimes change happens and we feel regret for what is lost in the process.

The move from print to electronic journals has been embraced e Continue reading →

Posted in Information skills, Journal publishing, Scientific literature, Searching | Comments Off on The challenge of going beyond

Apocalypse Penguin

Posted on 16 May 2011 by rpg

Number five.

Apocalypse Penguin

Posted in bovine, Marlon Brando, Martin Sheen, Penguins | Comments Off on Apocalypse Penguin

Kidding Yourself (The Impact Saga Continues)

Posted on 15 May 2011 by Athene Donald

This weekend I was persuaded by a member of my family to enter a local Parkrun. If, like me, you haven’t come across these before, I should say they offer weekly timed 5k runs at local venues. You just register, turn up and run. I am no serious runner, but once upon a time I ran a lot more than I do now, up to 50 miles a week. Then children interv Continue reading →

Posted in aspiration, Communicating Science, education, Outreach, pathways to impact statements, Research, Royal Society, school-teachers, Science Funding | Comments Off on Kidding Yourself (The Impact Saga Continues)

Hypobloggia

Posted on 14 May 2011 by KristiV

Apologies for the paucity of posts and comments lately, but I’ve been embroiled in course director duties for a major medical school course for the past nine weeks, compounded with a temporally overlapping graduate course. We administered the final two exams in the medical school course Thursday and Friday, and next week I’ll be enteri Continue reading →

Posted in academia | Comments Off on Hypobloggia

The Chain

Posted on 14 May 2011 by rpg

Listen to the wind blow, watch the sun rise

At this time of night, if the lights on the Addenbrookes roundabout are kind to me—and they usually are, because the sensors pick me up as I approach—three minutes and two seconds after putting the car into first gear I’m turning off the Babraham Road.

It was the last full week before Christmas. I&# Continue reading →

Posted in car, Chain, lab, Lab ratting, nmr, review, science, War stories | Comments Off on The Chain

It Has Not Escaped Our Notice #49

Posted on 12 May 2011 by Henry Gee

This example kindly sent in by railways enthusiast Mr O. E. of Derby, who spotted it at the Ecclesbourne Valley Railway at Wirksworth.
DSC00918
The question is whether one goes for Extra Ladies or Additional Ladies. So much choice: so little time. Continue reading →

Posted in do not use the lavatory while the train is standing in the station, Silliness | Comments Off on It Has Not Escaped Our Notice #49

News can be very odd sometimes

Posted on 12 May 2011 by Frank Norman

Three news stories this week made my jaw drop, my eyes widen, and my reservoirs of mirth overflow (though not all at once). Maybe they shouldn’t make me laugh but these stories are just rather odd.

Rome earthquake
The BBC website stated earlier in the week that:

Thousands of people are reported to be staying out of Rome for the next few days Continue reading →

Posted in Froth | Comments Off on News can be very odd sometimes

Don’t underestimate the enemy

Posted on 11 May 2011 by Steve Caplan

Don’t mistake me–I am all for promoting the wonders of science and scientific research–you will be hard pressed to find a better advocate than me. And after all, there is a growing awareness among scientists that research should be translated into layman’s terms, so that the general public can have some rudimentary understan Continue reading →

Posted in advertising, cancer, dumb-down, flaunting, hubris, layman, public, Research, science, supporting science, the mother-of-all-maladies | Comments Off on Don’t underestimate the enemy

In which I ponder the power of perspective

Posted on 11 May 2011 by Jennifer Rohn

Whenever you stick your head above the parapet and express a strong opinion in a high-profile venue, it’s almost inevitable that you’ll receive a large number of emails in response. Most of the follow-up I receive tends to be from people in the same position who recognize and share the sentiments expressed, writing to share their gratitude. But – p Continue reading →

Posted in Scientific method, Scientific thinking, The profession of science, Women in science | Comments Off on In which I ponder the power of perspective